The sheer amount of museums and art in New York City is a masterpiece in itself. 

From iconic, world renowned institutions like The Met and Natural History Museum, to cutting-edge contemporary galleries focused on LGBT heroes and the history of sex—there’s something for everyone in the greatest city in the world. Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite must-sees: 

The Met & Met Cloisters

As the largest art museum in the US, The Met is a must-see. It houses over 5,000 years of paintings, sculptures, architecture, armor, and costumes from every culture and century. Plus, visitors can stroll amongst 2,000 medieval artworks across the four acre outdoor garden: the Met Cloisters. (And, this pass gets you to skip the line at both!)

Currently, the Met is celebrating its 150th year with the costume Institute’s exhibition about fashion’s relationship with time, with narrated audio by none other than Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, and Julianne Moore.

Where:  
The Met Fifth Avenue: 1000 Fifth Avenue New York 
The Met Cloisters: 99 Margaret Corbin Drive Fort Tryon Park, New York 
Days Open: Thursday–Monday

For tickets and more information.

Museum of Ice Cream

New York’s MOIC transforms 13 rooms into immersive and dreamy escapes for all frozen treat lovers. Ever-changing with seasonal themes, the fan favorites now are the Oh Yeah Room (with a dessert feast suspended by floating balloons), the Celestial Subway (a re-imagination of the NYC subway), and the Rainbow Tunnel (a tribute to the city's gay pride). But, we gotta say...we might be most excited for the Ice Cream Cocktail Bar and Drink Service.

Discounted Flex Tickets ($5 off!) are available Thursday or Friday through February 28th! 

Where: 558 Broadway
Days open: Thursday-Sunday

For more information.

The Guggenheim

The world-renowned spiraling architecture of the Guggenheim continues to thrill visitors and provide a unique forum for the presentation of contemporary art. Founded on a collection of early modern masterpieces, the Guggenheim Museum today is an ever-evolving institution devoted to the art of the 20th century and beyond. 

Where: 1071 Fifth Avenue (Between 88th and 89th Streets)
Days Open: Thursday–Monday, 11 am–6 pm

For more information.

Museum of Modern Art

MoMA presents their great modern art with experimental, incredibly engaging design to delight over three million onsite visitors per year—and many more millions in the digital realm. Their art and installations move fast, make sure you’re one of those visitors this year. 

Where: MoMA: 11 West 53 Street, Manhattan | MoMA PS1: 22-25 Jackson Avenue, Queens
Days Open: Open seven days a week

For tickets and more information.

Whitney Museum of American Art  

The innovative Whitney was the first museum dedicated to the work of living American artists, and the first New York museum to present a major exhibition of a video artist (Nam June Paik, in 1982). Its signature focus on American artists (a lofty goal at the time of its 1931 inception) sets it apart from its modern museum counterparts today.

Days Open: Thursday-Monday
Where: 99 Gansevoort Street 

For tickets and more information.

The Museum of Sex

Credit: Museum of Sex

The Museum of Sex, also known as MoSex, is an immersive and educational museum including science, history, and art exhibits. This strictly 18+ museum chronicles the evolution of human sexuality, offering a variety of different perspectives on sexuality. Perhaps most beautifully put is their own words, stating: “We strive to give reason to emotion and understanding to our impulses.”

Days Open: Wed-Monday 
Where: 233 5th Ave New York, NY 10016

For more information.

The Morgan Library & Museum

Credit: Morgan Library & Museum 

Fulfilling all our Beauty and the Beast wildest dreams, enter: The Morgan Library & Museum. Once the personal collection of J. Pierpont Morgan, the museum was gifted to the city by the Gilded-Age financier along with his collection of artworks and rare books—including drawings by Michelangelo. There’s also a 1st edition of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol that’s put on display every Christmas.

Days Open: Wednesday to Sunday
Where: 225 Madison Avenue

For more information

The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog 

Credit: American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog

A full museum dedicated to mankind’s best friend? Sign us UP. These collections of dog-themed paintings, ceramics & bronzes, plus a dangerously adorable gift shop make this an animal lover’s paradise.

Days open: Wednesday - Sunday
Where: 101 Park Ave

For more information.

American Museum of Natural History

Credit: American Museum of Natural History  

Also celebrating its 150th anniversary, is the absolutely iconic: American Museum of Natural History. From the immense 94-foot long Blue Whale, to hot-off-the-rocket Moon rocks, reconstructed dinosaur species—the Natural History Museum continues to inspire the scientist in us all.  

Days open: Wednesday–Sunday
Where: 200 Central Park West

For more information.

Brooklyn Museum

Credit: Brooklyn Museum

The Brooklyn Museum, housed in a massive 560,000-sq. foot, Beaux-Arts building, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the country. Its famed collections range from ancient Egyptian artifacts to contemporary masterpieces, and represent a wide range of cultures. Plus, it's known for creating courageous conversations around different cultures as well as civil and human rights.

Days open: Wednesday-Sunday
Where: 200 Eastern Pkwy Brooklyn, NY 11238

For more information.